Thread-cutting attachment for spools.



N0. 7||,784. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

F. E. woman; THREAD CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SPOOLS.

(Application filed. Mar. 29, 1902.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. NORTON, OF SIDNEY, NEW YORK.

THREAD-CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR SPOOLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 711,784, dated October 21, 1902.

Application filed March 29, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. NORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sidney, in the county of Delaware and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Thread-Cutting Attachments for Spools, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to a thread-cutting attachment for application to a spool-head; and the objects of the same are to provide a cheap and convenient device of this class which may be quickly and easily attached to a spool without interfering with its application to a spool-spindle of a sewing-machine and by means of which a portion of the thread drawn from the spool may be neatly cut and the free end of the thread remaining upon the spool be retained to prevent a further unwinding of the same and held in such position that it maybe easily caught and loosened for a further unwinding and cutting operation when desired, also to simplify the improved attachment to such a degree as to re duce its cost of manufacture to a minimum, and also have it adapted for application to spool-heads of varying diameters or dimensions.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a spool, showing the improved cutter and thread-holder applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through a spool, showing the cutter in operative position there-' on. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the improved cutter. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the cutter is formed.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a blank of suitable thin sheet metal, which is approximately of T shape, havingprongs 2 at one end, which are bent downwardly at an angle, as clearly shown by Fig. 2, and provided with edge spurs 3, which prevent loosening of the said prongs after insertion in a spool-head. The prongs 2 are formed on the rear terminal of what Serial No. 100,600. (No model.)

may be termed the leg 4, and the arm 5, integrally continuing from the said legin planes at right angles, has one extremity terminally formed with a concave recess 6, which is reduced to form a cutting edge 7. The opposite extremity is terminally formed with a recess 8, having convex walls converging to an inner clamping-slit 9. The outer portion of the center of the arm 5 is cut inwardly to provide a bearing-tongue 10, which is bent downwardly in-a plane at right angles, as clearly shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The opposite extremities of the arm 5 from the center of the arm outwardly are also bent to give them a slight downward inclination, and when the device is applied the leg 4.- is extended inwardly over the spool-head a sufficient distance to bring the inner corners of the opposite extremities of the arm 5 close to the periphery of the spool-head to prevent the thread from passing between the said periphery and the inner edge of the opposite extremities of the arm. When the improved cutting attachment is thus applied, the tongue 10 will contact with the periphery of the spool-head and serve as a brace, as well as a guide in the application of the attachment, for when said tongue bears against the periphery of the spool-head the inner corners of the opposite extremities of the arm 5 will be in proper relation 'to the periphery ofthe spool-head.

In the operation of the improved cutting attachment the thread is drawn from the spool upwardly for the length desired and then thrown into the recess 8 and carried over and pulled against the cutting edge 7 to sever the same. This will leave the end of the thread in the recess, where it will be held by clamping engagement with the slit 9, a sufficient length of the thread lying above the cutting attachment for convenience in grasping the same for a further cutting operation. After the thread has been cut and held in the recess 8 it will be drawn out and the length thereof desired unwound from the spool and again thrown into the said recess 8 and over the cutting edge 7. When the thread is drawn over the cutting edge 7, it is pulled inwardly under the arm 5.

The improved attachment does not in the least interfere with the application of a spool to a spool-spindle of a sewing-machine, and

being formed from a single piece of material it can be cheaply manufactured.

By striking down the opposite extremities of the arm 5 the inner edges of said extremities are slightly depressed below the plane of the upper side of the head, so as to avoid catching the thread between the inner edges of the extremities of the arm and the periphery of the spool-head.

From a standpoint of economy in the manufacture of the improved device it will be made in one size and adapted to fit spools having heads of different diameters; but at times the proportions and dimensions will be varied at will.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is-- 1. A cutting attachment for a spool comprising an inwardly-projecting securing member adapted to be disposed radially and in flat relation to a spool-head, and an arm at right angles to said member and which is projected outwardly beyond the periphery of the head and having the mainportion in a plane substantially parallel to the latter, the extremities of the arm being struck inwardly at an angle to the head and one recessed and reduced to form a cutting edge and the other recessed to form a thread-holding clamp.

2. A cutting attachment having a cutting edge at one extremity and a thread-holding 

